A Brussels policeman was attacked this morning by a man with a knife. This happened at 5.30 am in front of the police station in the center of Brussels.

“The police officer is injured, but not in danger,” police spokeswoman Ilse Van de Keere confirms. For the time being, no terrorist motive is assumed.

The police officer got stabbed in the neck when he stood guard in front of the police station. Another police officer fired three shots, the perpetrator received a bullet in the chest area.

“Both men were taken to hospital, but are not in danger”, says Van de Keere. According to our information, the perpetrator is named Issam T. (33).

He had only just been released after detention and was known for various attempts of violence. The man shouted “Allahu Akhbar” during his attack, a phrase meaning “Allah is greater”, used by Muslims in prayers and as a general declaration of faith.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Homeland Security Jan Jambon (N-VA) already reacted saying there is no terrorist motive for the time being. “The perpetrator is not in the OCAD databases and is not known for terrorism”, he said.

But despite Jambon’s premature remarks, law enforcement agencies have now said they will investigate the knife attack on the police officer ‘in a terrorist context’, officials told local media.